By DAVE GUFFEY for GoGriz.com
THE GAME: The #10th-ranked ( FCS Coaches’/Sports Network polls) University of Montana Grizzlies (6-1/3-1 Big Sky Conference) continue league play, hosting the first-place (tie) and #3rd-ranked Eastern Washington Eagles (5-2/3-0) Saturday, Oct. 26 in UM’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,217) on “Military Appreciation Day,” with kickoff at 1:40 p.m.
GRIZ LAST GAME: (at Montana 21, Cal Poly 14-OT): The Griz blocked a game-clinching field goal late in the contest and then scored twice in the last two-plus minutes, for an emotional overtime victory over the Mustangs. Cal Poly place-kicker Bobby Zalud had a chance to ice the game, but his 26-yard field goal attempt with 2:17 left was blocked by linebacker Jordan Tripp, giving Montana possession on its own 12-yard line.
GAME-TYING DRIVE & GAME-WINNER: After Tripp’s block, the Grizzlies marched 88 yards on 15 plays in 2:05, with the game-tying play a Jordan Johnson pass to tight end Clay Pierson on a 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Ben Worst’s PAT, tied the contest 14-14 with 12 seconds to go in regulation. On the second play in the overtime, Johnson tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ellis Henderson for the winning score.
The Grizzlies’ last overtime game was a decade ago, a 43-40 double OT loss at home to Western Illinois in a first-round FCS playoff game.
TRIPP TIES CAREER MARK: Tripp is now tied for first in school history with nine career fumble recoveries with Mike Rankin (9, 1986-89).
COYLE NAMED BSC POW: Brock Coyle, a senior linebacker from Bozeman, was named the Big Sky’s “Defensive Player of the Week” for the second time in his career. Coyle had 15 tackles, 2 TFLs, and the game-ending interception in the Cal Poly win. Montana’s other “POW” nominees were Johnson on offense and Tripp for special teams.
EWU SCORES TO DATE: EWU 49, at #25 Oregon State 46; at EWU 43, W. Oregon 14; at Toledo 33, EWU 21; at Sam Houston State 49, at EWU 41, Weber St. 19; EWU 34, at N. Dakota 14; at EWU 34, S. Utah 10.
LAST MEETING: (9/29/12): The Griz led 26-17 with 8:26 to go in the fourth quarter, but EWU scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes for a 32-26 win. Freshman quarterback Vernon Adams threw two late TD passes, and his second was a 20-yarder to Ashton Clark for the game-winner with 53 seconds left to play. (Game stats & story on add 13-13-13).
SERIES: Montana leads the series 26-12-1. (Season-by-season scores on add 22-22-22).
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GAME SPONSOR: Saturday’s game sponsor is American Federal Savings Bank, which is providing 26,000 flags for Griz fans at the game.
POST-GAME DEDICATION: The Fallen Soldier Memorial, bearing the names of Montana soldiers who lost their lives in the recent wars, will be recognized 30 minutes after the UM-EWU game concludes. The public is invited to attend a dedication ceremony, which will take place at the Fallen Soldier Memorial, which is located along historic Memorial Row on the northeast side of campus, across from the tennis courts.
GRIZ RADIO: Veteran Mick Holien is in his 21st season calling the play-by-play and serving as the “Voice of the Grizzlies.” Former UM wide receiver Scott Gurnsey provides in-booth color, while Greg Sundberg serves as the sideline reporter. UM’s flagship station is KGVO Radio, 1290 AM/KVWE 101.5 FM. (Griz FB Radio Network listed on add 2-2-2 of the weekly release).
AUDIO STREAMING: gogriz.com/all-access.
LIVE STATS: gogriz.com/all-access.
TWITTER: @umgrizzlies_fb & umgrizzlies_sid.
TV: The Griz-Eagle game will be televised by ROOT SPORTS. Tom Glasgow calls the play-by-play, Jason Stiles is the in-booth analyst, and Brad Adam serves as the sideline reporter.
ROOT TV INFO: The game will air on ROOT SPORTS Northwest Dish 426 and DirecTV 687 and Direct TV’s Audience Network 101. DirecTV customers can stream the game to smartphones or tablets through DirecTV’s Watch Anywhere App., DirecTV’s Audience Network Channel 101.
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